€511,800 in Non-Dilutive Funding Secured : Marula Proteen Is Scaling Circular Agritech in Africa

Mandilakhe Somdle
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Portait of the CEO of Adashi, Ahmed. — IMAGE CAPTION: Co-Founder of Marula Proteen Uganda Limited **Tommie Hooft van** **Huysduynen** at the Grand Summit 2025 stage. *Image: Supplied /* AfricArena

When Marula Proteen Uganda Limited secured a €100,000 grant from the Dutch Government, it wasn’t just early-stage validation, it was proof that their model had real traction.

Since then, the Ugandan agritech has raised over €511,800 in non-dilutive funding, building the operational backbone of a business that sits at the intersection of waste management, regenerative agriculture, and food security.

Now, the company is preparing for its next chapter: a €500,000 raise in 2025 aimed at expanding production capacity, upgrading infrastructure, and scaling its circular model across new regions.

But the funding story is only part of the picture.

Turning Waste into Soil Wealth

Uganda’s urban markets generate tonnes of organic waste daily. Most of it ends up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions and public health challenges.

At the same time, smallholder farmers face depleted soils, rising fertiliser prices, and declining yields.

Marula Proteen connects these two challenges through Black Soldier Fly technology, converting organic waste into high-quality organic fertiliser that restores soil health and boosts productivity.

What was once discarded becomes regenerative input.What was once an environmental burden becomes economic value.

In a continent where agriculture underpins livelihoods and food systems, improving soil health isn’t just sustainable, it’s strategic.

Built in a Time of Disruption

Launching during the COVID-19 pandemic forced the team to operate lean, experiment quickly, and prioritise operational resilience.

Instead of chasing rapid expansion, they focused on proving their model locally: collecting waste from markets, refining production processes, and working directly with farmers to validate yield improvements.

That discipline built credibility and made grant capital catalytic rather than cosmetic.

For Marula Proteen, funding wasn’t about headlines. It was about building infrastructure that works.

The AfricArena Effect

In 2025, that progress was recognised on a continental stage when Marula Proteen won an award at the AfricArena Nairobi Summit in Nairobi.

The recognition amplified their visibility beyond Uganda, strengthening investor conversations and opening access to a broader network of ecosystem partners.

For a hardware- and infrastructure-heavy agritech, credibility matters. Platforms matter. Rooms matter.

Winning at AfricArena validated not just their circular waste-to-fertiliser model but the scalability of climate-smart agritech built for African realities.

Looking Ahead to Nairobi 2026

As AfricArena prepares to return to Nairobi in 2026, Marula Proteen’s journey reflects what can happen when high-impact startups meet the right capital and ecosystem connections.

Their €500,000 raise will focus on:

Expanding processing infrastructure
Upgrading production technology
Strengthening distribution networks
Meeting rising farmer demand

The long-term vision is clear: become a leading circular agritech company transforming how Africa manages waste and restores soil health.

From securing €511,800 in grants to winning continental recognition, Marula Proteen’s story is a reminder that sustainable innovation doesn’t always begin with venture capital, sometimes it begins with solving two local problems at once.

And sometimes, one stage in Nairobi can accelerate the next chapter of growth.

Want to Be Part of the Next Big Thing?

Whether you’re a startup founder looking to raise capital, a corporate ready to collaborate, or just someone who loves being in the room where Africa’s future happens, we’ve got a seat for you.

Apply to the AfricArise Program: pitch at one of our regional summits and get access to investors, partners, and accelerators across the continent.
Join us at the AfricArena Nairobi Summit 2026, happening 29–30 April, where Africa’s boldest founders, top investors, and ecosystem builders gather for two days of pure innovation energy.
Secure your super early bird tickets for Nairobi here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/africarena-nairobi-summit-2026-tickets-1980540202059?aff=oddtdtcreator